Beyond the Game: Southern Boone pitcher Rylee Ellsworth

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

Southern Boone pitcher Rylee Ellsworth went "Beyond the Game" with ABC 17 Sports Director Nathalie Jones, as a part of a two-part feature on the Eagles' standout pitching tandem.

The other half of that tandem - sophomore pitcher Brenna Young - will join Jones for the next edition of "Beyond the Game" on Oct. 9.

You can find a full transcript of the interview with Ellsworth below.

Nathalie Jones: "What's up folks? We are at Southern Boone High School going beyond the game with the Eagles tandem of standout pitchers. We're gonna do this in two parts. So Rylee, let's start with you. Tell me, when did you start knowing that, hey, I kinda have something with pitching here?" 

Rylee Ellsworth: "Probably when I was about - this year?" 

Nathalie: "Yeah." 

Rylee: "Just this past year when I started with Coach Moore. I threw my first game against Harrisburg, and it all smooth sailing from there."

Nathalie: "What, what's the most underrated part about being a pitcher that people might not realize?" 

Rylee: "Probably having my cute hair, getting a little bow going."

Nathalie: "What do you like about, I mean, just being a pitcher, there seems like so much pressure. You kind of have this command of the game. What's the hardest part about being a pitcher?" 

Rylee: "I wanna say probably like going in there and like pitching five days in a row and then my arm being sore but you know it's all mind over matter right?" 

Nathalie: "Tell me about the relationship you and Brenna, do you feel like you kind of get to mentor? I know you're only one year older, but do you get to mentor her a little bit?"

Rylee: "Yeah, I think honestly she comes out to the mound and helps me more calm me down on these high, like intense games."

Nathalie: "Do you have a pitch that you feel like is kind of your bread and butter so far?"

Rylee: "My rise ball." 

Nathalie: "Your rise ball? What makes that your best pitch, you think?" 

Rylee: "Get those swings through it, you know, I've been working on it the past three years now." 

Nathalie: "Just tell me about this Eagles team. What do you love about this group this year?"

Rylee: "I like the high energy. Everybody's just so much fun meeting new everybody, getting to know everyone. I love it." 

Nathalie: "Where do you hope that this team can go this season? Obviously you guys having a tremendous start."

Rylee: "No, I really wanna win this district, and I think it's possible. I feel like we can and going to state. I think that's, we can do it this year, especially with this group of girls. We're all ready for it."

Nathalie: "Well, folks, you just went beyond the game with Riley. I appreciate you making the time. Thanks for hanging out."

Rylee: "Of course."